1. Don’t wait until the last minute. Not doing our shopping (or planning) ahead of time often means we won’t get what we want. The same can be true of estate planning. Some areas of planning (specifically planning for Medi-Cal, retirement, and long-term care) should begin at least a few years before you think you’ll need it.
2. You can’t please everybody. Just as blended families have to come to terms with the fact that they won’t please every in-law every year, you have to accept that you may not be able to please all of your children or heirs in your estate plan. In the end, an estate plan is about your assets and your wishes.
3. Planning ahead makes execution easier. Everyone knows that braving the stores at the height of the holiday season is much easier if you’ve thought ahead and already know what you’re getting. Estate planning also benefits from a little bit of forethought, and the whole process runs smoothly if you go into your attorney’s office already having made a list of assets, goals, and people you trust.
4. Expect to get what you pay for. Paying $5 for the tree in the corner of the lot doesn’t mean you’ve gotten a deal; more often it means you’ve gotten a tree that will lose all its needles in the next 2 days. Don’t make the mistake of getting a “deal” on an estate plan that won’t withstand the test of time.
5. Don’t forget the extras. That radio controlled car looks nice under the tree, but it’s not much fun if you’ve forgotten the batteries to make it go. Your estate plan may also require some “extras” to make it work: funding, memorandum of intent, letters of notification to fiduciaries, etc.

With a little planning your holidays—and your estate—can be easy and stress free. Contact our office to get started on your estate plan before the year is over.